Like many people, I first discovered Mezrich's work in THE ACCIDENTAL BILLIONAIRES - a superb account of the founding and rise of Facebook.

In ONCE UPON A TIME IN RUSSIA, the author offers readers the story of the machinations of Russian oligarchs. Specifically, the ways in which a handful of Russians took advantage of the rush to privatize in the wake of the USSR's collapse, and turned their moves into incredible fortunes. It is the story of Boris Berezovsky and Roman Abramovich, and how the former protected and helped the latter - until Berezovsky fell on the wrong side of Putin, of course, when he had to flee.

Engagingly written, well-paced, and with amazing real-life characters. Definitely worth a read.